That's dumb not realizing the mistakes you have committed meaning you will continue to make them in the future. It's what critical analysis and soul searching is al!about
I don't think you get it. I am not permissimitic, there are option a, b, c , d all lining up in the horizon that can be utilized. Hands are busy, no time for pessimistic
My thread of China doing their own EUV lithography even now might one day catapult thethem ahead of Tawian and Korea because those two don't even bother to do it, just rely on western countries.
Had they prioritize being independent without using western equipment at the beginning meaning in the 80s they start pushing for equipment research they will see different scenario.
The equipment is all physics, laser, optics, a lot of the stuffs similar to their military research in nuclear weapons and satellite sensors.
they just chose not to focus on IC equipment.
Why research on semiconductor equipment or even make IC when they can just buy t hem back in the days.
similar to they have up on Y10 plane in 80s because Boeing convinced it to buy it because it's cheaper.China regrets big time giving up on that project.
And yes, China bought into what US sold them the idea of division of labor.
The Y-10 was cancelled because of engines/ avionics / safety considerations. The Y-10, from the beginning, had no chance against the Boeing, Airbus, McDonnell Douglass offerings as they had time, resources and experiences on their side.It is just nothing short of a surprise that China managed to produce the Y-10. It is a testament to China's willpower.
The Y-10 was a Maoist Aircraft that was produced as a people's aircraft. It was bound for failure.
When China was ravaged by war,poverty and internal strife from the 1900s to 1970s - other countries were having Jumbo jets, Nuclear powered Cruise Ships, Moon landings, Nuclear Arms race, Jet powered trains and what not.
China missed that bus. In fact, China missed many buses. China missed the steam revolution, the diesel revolution, Electric Motor revolution, Atomic revolution ... the list is too long. China missed the semiconductor uprising of the late 1970s even. We all know what China was back then. It was no much better than Sub Saharan Africa.
We ought to be thankful that China could catch up somewhat and be here. Never in history has this country been this strong, comprehensively.
All the ills that we attribute to China's trailing in technology can be retraced back to this lost century of humiliation and Self Harm. There is no use flagging the country/ decision makers because I don't think they could do much better. In fact, I am surprised that China had initiated a semiconductor Action plan back in 1980s. That is nothing short of being daredevilry and blatant resolve.
Trade and Politics ( geopolitics, ideology) are intertwined. No matter how much we try to show a blind eye...it is always the case. You said China could have had a better present if China took the right decision during the 1980s. Frankly, I disagree. China would have never succeeded then. How am I sure ? Because China's ideology wasn't in agreement with the west. Fundamentally speaking, it was geopolitics that helped China with the opening up under Deng. The Sino-Soviet split forced the west to side with China. China was the lesser threat.
China tried to gain from that brief period of China-West rapprochement.
1. The Y-10, was shelved and McDonnell Douglass ( now part of Boeing, but then a giant) offered the MD-80 and MD-90 for China to manufacture. That was a golden deal. China could learn new and advanced Aerospace manufacturing techology.
2. The French cooperated in Turboshaft engines and Helicopters. The effects exists till this day. Chinese Helicopters have a huge french influence and content.
3. Japanese Investments started flowing to China
etc
